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Tang Tang prepared the food for Sun Yi first. Seeing he was eating fine alone, she carried the children to sit on the bottom of Ji Yan’s bed. Then she invited grandpa Ji to sit at the bedside near the two children. Grandpa Ji didn’t say anything and tacitly approved of the arrangement.
Tang Tang smiled stealthily and sat sideways beside Ji Yan. The family surrounded the small table. Even though it was a little crowded, there was a warm family feeling.
No one felt the seating arrangement was inconvenient. Everyone thought it was quite good.
As a result, the corner of Tang Tang’s lips lifted. She was beaming as she opened the food box that contained three large mantou and pushed it towards grandpa Ji, “Grandpa, Ji Yan said you loved eating mantou. I made these personally. You can try them.”
Grandpa Ji paused and made a low “En” sound before picking up a soft white mantou and took a bite. He chewed a couple of times before swallowing. Then he took a second bite.
He didn’t speak so Tang Tang didn’t know if he was satisfied or not. She couldn’t help but look nervously at Ji Yan. In response, Ji Yan smiled and kneaded her hand before giving a slight nod. Tang Tang finally understood. Grandpa was pleased.
Then Tang Tang hurriedly moved the dish of braised pig trotters that she made especially for grandpa Ji, “Grandpa, Ji Yan told me you also like eating this. He specifically told me to make it for you. Please give it a try. I will change it if it isn’t good.”
Finally, grandpa Ji looked up at them. Before they could see his emotions clearly in his eyes, he quickly moved his gaze away then he took a piece of pig trotter and placed it in his mouth with his chopsticks. This time Tang Tang could tell grandpa Ji was satisfied without asking Ji Yan because he ate three pieces in one go, and like that, the mantou disappeared with the pig trotters.
How can he not like it if he was eating it like that?
Seeing his great-grandpa eating mantou and pig trotters with relish, Ji Xiao Zhuo couldn’t help but salivate. He gradually stopped eating and stared at the mantou and pig trotters that grandpa Ji was holding. He couldn’t help but ask, “Great-grandpa, is mantou and pig trotters tasty?”
“En, it’s good.” It has been a long time since grandpa Ji ate such authentic mantou and pig trotters. As a result, he ate it eagerly. When Ji Xiao Zhuo asked the question, grandpa Ji subconsciously nodded. It was too late when he came back to his senses. He froze for a while before he carried on eating while pretending nothing happened.
Ji Xiao Zhuo swallowed his saliva again and shifted his gaze to the remaining mantou and pig trotters and probed, “Great-grandpa, can I have a mantou and pig trotters?”
Immediately, grandpa Ji passed a mantou to the little one, “You don’t need to ask. Eat it quickly.”
Ji Xiao Zhuo accepted it happily. He split the mantou in half and passed half of it to Nuo Nuo who was eating her rice obediently without looking at others, “Come, Nuo Nuo, you should also try some mantou. It’s good.”
In response, Nuo Nuo looked up from her bowl. She placed her bowl down first before taking the mantou to eat.
Ji Xiao Zhuo watched her start eating before taking a bite himself. Then he took a bite of a pig trotter. As the two foods combined, he discovered the taste was not bad so he started to eat energetically. Then he got a piece of pig trotter for Nuo Nuo to eat.
As a result, the scene turned into an old man and two children engrossed with eating mantou and pig trotters.
Tang Tang and Ji Yan’s gazes met each other. They both could see the joy from each other’s eyes.
Since she didn’t need to worry about the elder and the children, Tang Tang started serving Ji Yan. She poured a bowl of fish soup that was made today and scooped some soup with a spoon and blew on it. After confirming it wasn’t scalding, she moved the spoon to Ji Yan’s lips.
Ji Yan knew she was afraid he would hurt his wound when eating plus he got used to her feeding him, so he naturally opened his mouth to drink. Then he waited for the next spoonful.
Apart from grandpa Ji, everyone else was already used to the scene. This was grandpa Ji’s first time seeing that. He almost choked on the mantou by shock.
His grandson, who was a man of steel and was known as King Yama in the military, would actually sit on the bed with his mouth open and wait for his wife to feed him food?
Grandpa Ji almost thought he saw it wrong.
But he didn’t see it wrong. Grandpa Ji watched Tang Tang feed Ji Yan a bowl of soup before moving on to a bowl of congee. His grandson, who didn’t even make a sound and carried on his mission like normal when his wound had maggots, was now sitting there waiting to be fed congee as if he was paralysed.
Grandpa Ji looked uncertainly at Ji Yan’s arms and legs. En, they were all there and there were no issues with them.
His face trembled. He forced himself to keep control of his expression.
But it was Tang Tang who shocked him the most. In his memories, she was a woman who only knew how to drink. She wouldn’t even spare a glance at her husband or child but now, she was blowing on the congee gently and carefully before feeding it to Ji Yan. When she saw there was congee accidentally stained on his lips, she would immediately use her thumb to gently wipe the stain away. The expression on her face was very gentle and there was love in her eyes for every action she did.
Even though he thought Tang Tang was completely different from how she used to be, this actually made grandpa Ji doubt if this woman was the same woman his grandson married four years ago.
What was this woman planning?
Grandpa Ji remained bewildered to the end of the meal. After the meal, Tang Tang tidied everything up and cut some fruits for everyone. Ji Yan could also eat some fruits now so Tang Tang cut an apple. She gave half to Nuo Nuo and cut the remaining half into smaller pieces before feeding it to Ji Yan.
At the moment, the television on the wall was switched on. Everyone was watching the news. Apart from Tang Tang and Nuo Nuo who felt indifferent about watching the news, the remaining four males were all loyal fans so everyone watched it eagerly. Ji Yan was also immersed in watching the news. He watched as he ate the apple Tang Tang brought to his lips.
Grandpa Ji saw the scene from the corner of his eyes. His face trembled again. He couldn’t even watch his favourite news anymore as his brain was pondering if Tang Tang had really changed or if she was faking it.
Previously, he didn’t really believe Tang Tang would suddenly become good and thought she was faking it. But after tonight, he felt rather uncertain because everything she did looked sincere. Even he couldn’t see any traces of lying. Besides his grandson was not stupid, he wouldn’t get tricked so easily. He believed her now. It wasn’t possible to say she was faking it.
Grandpa Ji’s mind was a bit confused. After watching the news, he returned with the two children but he was still thinking about the matter. He couldn’t help but ask Ji Xiao Zhuo, “Xiao Zhuo, are your parents usually like that at home as well?”
“En?” Ji Xiao Zhuo didn’t understand, “Like what?”
“Just like…” Grandpa Ji couldn’t ask the child if his parents treated each other indifferently, so he changed his question, “Like does your mummy usually treat your daddy as well as she does in the hospital?”
“Yep.” Ji Xiao Zhuo answered without thinking, “Mummy is great! She is the best mummy in the world!”
Even Nuo Nuo who doesn’t speak much nodded vigorously, and spoke quietly but with certainty, “Auntie is the best mummy!”
“Great-grandpa, don’t dislike my mummy. My mummy is very good now.” Ji Xiao Zhuo remembered his great-grandpa didn’t like his mummy in the past because mummy didn’t treat him and daddy well. But his mummy was good now. It was just that his great-grandpa didn’t know yet so he praised his mummy as they walked.
“Let me tell you, great-grandpa, mummy now sleeps together with me, makes yummy food, takes me to school and picks me up every day, and she makes pretty clothes. Anyway, there are lots and lots of other things.”
After he finished speaking about himself, he spoke about daddy as well. “Mummy treats daddy really well too. Every night, daddy would get a foot bath and a foot massage. Mummy’s foot massages feel very comfortable but mummy doesn’t let me have foot baths anymore, and she only gives daddy foot massages as well. Mummy is so biased.”
As Ji Xiao Zhuo spoke, he strayed away from the topic and became jealous.
“Your mummy gives your daddy footbaths at home?” Even though grandpa Ji was a rather traditional and chauvinist man, he was currently flabbergasted.
“That’s right, there would be a foot bath every day and a foot massage as well. It’s really comfortable.” There was envy and jealousy in Ji Xiao Zhuo’s tone.
“……” If it was in ancient times, there could be some wives who would give their husband foot baths but there was still such a young lady in modern times? Currently, it was more likely for men to give women foot baths. Men were now henpecked. Even in his generation, there weren’t many women like that.
It was a bit embarrassing to mention it but he had given Xiao Zhuo’s great-grandmother a number of foot baths as well.
Could it be that a person could really change so much? Cooking meals, pampering, and watching over someone could be deliberately faked, but there was no need to go as far as giving footbaths. If it was faked, one wouldn’t be able to go as far as that.
Grandpa Ji finally believed a little that Tang Tang’s character had changed.
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“You should return, I don’t need company for the night. When I sleep, I won’t wake till morning.” Ji Yan didn’t agree with Tang Tang staying in the hospital. If she stayed, she simply wouldn’t have a good night of rest. He wasn’t willing to let her suffer that.
“No, what if something urgent happened and you can’t find anyone? I’ll stay and watch over you.” Tang Tang was determined to stay.
“What urgent matter can happen? Even if it did, I can call a nurse in. There are nurses 24/7.”
“What if the nurse just happened to be doing something else and couldn’t come in time? You can’t even get up by yourself yet.”
“Then I can call Sun Yi for help. Sun Yi can get up by himself and he can get off the bed.” Sun Yi was currently listening with interest to the couple, who enjoyed scattering dog food, argue. In the end, he heard himself get pulled into their debate. He quickly waved his hand, “I can’t help you with anything. I sleep like the dead. No matter how much you call, I won’t hear anything. If something urgent happens, I won’t be able to help so I think it’s best to let Sister-in-law stay with you.”
Immediately, Tang Tang put her hands together and stealthily gave her thanks to Sun Yi.
Then Sun Yi returned a ‘Don’t mention it’ look to Tang Tang. Even though they would scatter dog food when Tang Tang stayed, he should help her out since he ate so many delicious meals from her. Furthermore, Ji Yan’s injury was serious. It would be better if there was someone available to look after him constantly.
Tang Tang looked at Ji Yan happily, “See, it’s better for me to stay.”
Ji Yan had nothing to say. He looked helplessly at her and gave in.
Tang Tang got it her way. As she was afraid of Ji Yan going back on his words, she instantly took two water bottles from the table and left to get hot water. There was a cheerful aura around her.
Unwilling to speak heavily at Tang Tang, Ji Yan turned and looked at Sun Yi with no expression. Silently, he let out a murderous aura.
Sun Yi couldn’t take it after three seconds, “Enough, enough, I don’t even mind you two scattering dog food to me. Do you think it’s easy for me to watch you two be so loving?”
Ji Yan turned away. He couldn’t be bothered to deal with Sun Yi. A single dog like him doesn’t even have a wife. How can he understand that he didn’t want his wife to suffer.
“Hey. Turn back around, Ji Yan, I have something to ask you.” Sun Yi asked with a slight blush, “Does your wife have any sisters? If she does, introduce one to me.” Generally speaking, sisters would receive the same education so their personalities should be similar. Tang Tang’s sisters would also be the gentle and considerate type.
Ji Yan could tell what he was thinking at a glance. Ji Yan directly broke his dream, “My wife has no sisters, just her.”
“Ah, that’s too bad.” Sun Yi was very disappointed. If there were sisters, maybe he could find a wife that was like Ji Yan’s wife.
“What’s bad?” Tang Tang just happened to hear the last sentence as she entered with the water bottles.
Sun Yi was ok to ask Ji Yan but he was embarrassed to ask Tang Tang that so he lied instantly, “It’s just too bad we haven’t had a bath, haha.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I just got some hot water for you. Just let me know if you need help.” Tang Tang gave the water bottle that belonged to Sun Yi back to him.
Sun Yi didn’t expect Tang Tang would even get hot water for him. He didn’t know how he should thank her but he thought it was regretful that Tang Tang didn’t have any sisters.
Using the hot water Tang Tang collected, Sun Yi briefly washed himself. Once he was done, Sun Yi took the initiative to use sleeping as an excuse to pull the curtain between the two beds to separate them. He didn’t want to receive any more attacks.
Ji Yan’s wound couldn’t get wet at the moment so he couldn’t take a bath. Afraid that he would feel uncomfortable, Tang Tang got a warm basin of water and used a towel to wipe his face and arm so he could sleep better. When she was done, she changed to another towel to wipe his feet. As she was wiping his feet, she would massage them as well, pressing on the pressure points.
“Dear, you can’t have foot baths at the moment. Wait till you can sit up again and I’ll resume your foot baths then you’ll feel more comfortable.” Tang Tang discovered Ji Yan’s feet were a bit stiff. It was likely caused by him lying down without moving for some time so his blood wasn’t circulating very well.
“Alright.” After getting massaged by Tang Tang, his legs and feet did feel much better. It didn’t feel as bloated anymore.
Tang Tang moved up and massaged his legs and realized his legs had stiffened too. She frowned. When people lie down for a long time without moving, it wasn’t just their blood that wasn’t circulating well, but even their muscles would wither. They would require frequent massages. Especially since Ji Yan was in the military, his muscles mustn’t get affected.
As she was thinking about that, Tang Tang used hot water to wipe his legs. She sat on the side of the bed and gave his legs a massage.
Seeing her so busy, Ji Yan felt warm and sorry at the same time. This was the first time he felt being injured was also a blessing. Previously, he was afraid of troubling someone whenever he was injured. He always lied silently on the bed as he waited for recovery. He would immediately leave the hospital once he could get off the bed and didn’t want to stay for a moment longer. But this time, because of her, he felt comfortable even though he couldn’t do anything but lie on the bed.
In the past, he didn’t understand why people would get married but he now knew the answer. It wasn’t for carrying on a family line or because of a parent’s expectation. People got married because they met someone who they could face the future together with, hand in hand.
He felt ashamed that he casually got married before he understood what love was, but it was also due to that action that he could meet her. In the millions of people, she became his wife. Was this his fortune that heaven had arranged for him?
“It’s okay now. My legs feel better. Let’s sleep.” Ji Yan pulled her close and massaged her hands.
“You sleep, dear. I will watch over you.” Tang Tang moved a chair over and prepared to sit there all night.
Ji Yan felt helpless about his little fool. He simply pulled her closer by her arm, “Come sleep next to me.”
“How can I do that! The bed is so small, what should we do if your wound got bumped into?” Tang Tang shook her head continuously.
Ji Yan bit her finger. “If you don’t get on, I won’t let you stay tomorrow night.”
Instantly, Tang Tang wilted. She didn’t dare to disobey and climbed onto the bed obediently and lied down beside him. But she didn’t dare to lie too close to him and inched as much to the edge as possible.
“Come closer to my side.” Ji Yan dragged her closer to him and Tang Tang didn’t dare to use force against him, so she moved along with his force.
“You sleep very still. You won’t bump into me.” Ji Yan said quietly and held her hand under the blanket.
In the past, Tang Tang also thought she didn’t move in her sleep but she became uncertain after she kept waking up in his embrace on multiple occasions. She even started to suspect her sleeping habit was not good.
He was now saying she slept still then didn’t that mean that all those occasions were due to his mischief?
Thinking up to that point, Tang Tang felt shy and thought this man was especially bad when they were in bed. En, he was completely bad.
Ji Yan’s lips lifted slightly as if he knew what she was currently thinking. He suddenly let go of her hand and moved his hand into her clothing. He gently stroked her waist. Tang Tang quivered and almost moaned. Fortunately, she bit her lips on time so no noise came out.
Knowing he wanted to touch her, Tang Tang didn’t dare to move as she blushed and bit her lips.
